Studies have shown that almost a third of women experience hair loss (alopecia) in their lives.

The most common form of hair loss in women is known as Female Pattern Baldness (Androgentic Alopecia).

Causes

Female Pattern Baldness, as in it’s Male counterpart, is caused by a genetic predisposition. Other potential causes are: stress, medications, and medical conditions.

Symptoms

Female Pattern Baldness begins with gradual thinning along the part line followed by hair loss all across the top of the head. Women do not experience the receding hair line that characterizes Male pattern Baldness, and women very rarely go bald. A severe case of Female Pattern Baldness is very thin hair all across the top of the head.

Below is the Ludwig Classification. A universal scale used to describe Female pattern Baldness; useful if you are trying to describe your hair loss to your doctor over the phone or in an email.

Type 1 – Barely noticable, you can hide it by styling your hair in a certain way.

Type 2 – Widening part line and noticable decrease in the amount of hair on top of the head.

Type 3 – You can see clearly to the scalp across the top of the scalp, thinning has spread all across the top of the head.

Treatment

Hair transplants are increasingly popular for women (Photos). Contacting one of our recommended doctors and going for a consultation is your best first step towards treatment.
The same medications that are used for men are available for women who are experiencing hair loss. See our page on Hair Loss Medication to learn more.